System and method for operating a front trunk of an electric vehicle based on load

Abstract

A front trunk system for an automotive vehicle a front trunk system for an automotive vehicle having a front trunk door and a frunk load floor includes a load sensor coupled to the frunk load floor that generates a load signal corresponding to a load on the load floor. The system further includes a controller coupled to the load sensor controlling an indicator when the load is greater than a load threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A front trunk system for an automotive vehicle having a front trunk door and a frunk load floor comprising:
 a load sensor coupled to the frunk load floor generating a load signal corresponding to a load on the load floor; and   a controller coupled to the load sensor controlling an indicator when the load is greater than a load threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The front trunk system of  claim 1  wherein the load sensor comprises a load cell amplifier. 
     
     
         3 . The front trunk system of  claim 1  wherein the load sensor is disposed between the load floor and a vehicle structure. 
     
     
         4 . The front trunk system of  claim 3  wherein the vehicle structure comprises a sub-floor. 
     
     
         5 . The front trunk system of  claim 2  wherein the load sensor comprises a plurality of load sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The front trunk system of  claim 1  wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator or an audible indicator. 
     
     
         7 . The front trunk system of  claim 1  wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator and an audible indicator. 
     
     
         8 . The front trunk system of  claim 7  wherein the visual indicator is disposed within the front trunk. 
     
     
         9 . The front trunk system of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface and an actuator for closing the front trunk door, said controller preventing the actuator from closing the front trunk door based on the load signal. 
     
     
         10 . The front trunk system of  claim 9  wherein the actuator comprises a motor. 
     
     
         11 . A method of controlling a front trunk system for an automotive vehicle having a front trunk door and frunk load floor, said method comprising:
 generating a load signal corresponding to a load on the frunk load floor; and   controlling an indicator when the load is greater than a load threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein generating the load signal comprises generating the load signal from a load sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein generating the load signal comprises generating the load signal from a load cell. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein generating the load signal comprises generating the load signal from a load cell amplifier. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein generating the load signal comprises generating the load signal from a plurality of load sensors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein generating the load signal comprises generating the load signal from a load sensor disposed between a load floor and a vehicle structure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein controlling the indicator comprises controlling a visual indicator. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein controlling the indicator comprises controlling a visual indicator disposed within the front trunk. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the indicator comprises an audible indicator, a visual indicator or both. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising preventing an actuator from closing the front trunk door after generating an actuator signal based on the load signal.